Hickman has high hopes for son of a gun at Taree

Warwick Farm trainer Gregory Hickman will rely on a progeny of his former star sprinter Pierata when he heads to Taree on Tuesday with one runner set to face the starter.

Hickman, who prepared Pierata for nine wins from 26 starts and more than $5.8 million in prizemoney, including a group 1 win in the All Aged Stakes and a fifth in the 2019 Everest behind Yes Yes Yes, has Prorata engaged to contest the Sky International Class 3 Benchmark 66 Handicap (1262m).

Warwick Farm trainer Greg Hickman had enormous success with Pierata.Credit: Renee Nowytarger

Now a four-year-old gelding, Prorata is resuming from a spell for Hickman and connections that include former part-owners of Pierata.

“He’s a nice enough horse that has shown some talent with two wins from his seven starts,” Hickman said. “He won at his second start at Wagga, and he won at Bathurst last campaign. He tackled the Guineas at Canberra, then ran well in a good quality trial at Warwick Farm before a couple of Kembla Grange runs.

“He’s had a trial in preparation for his return to racing and ran well enough in that when fourth at Warwick Farm.

“Jean Van Overmeire is booked to ride him at Taree, and he is ready to run well.”

Newcastle trainer Kris Lees has the promising Satono Invader ready to contest the Jack & Co Maiden Handicap (1312m) at Taree with Andrew Gibbons taking the ride.

Satono Invader started favourite when making her debut with a second at Coffs Harbour on September 4 when racing on the pace, and she’s drawn ideally in barrier two.

Gibbons has two other chances engaged at Taree, starting with the Todd Howlett-prepared Novaya in the Cleavers Tyres Maiden Plate (1007m).

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Novaya is a Russian Revolution mare making her debut and races in the Australian Bloodstock colours. She’s finished third and fourth in her two most recent trials at Gosford and Scone respectively.

The Terry Evans-trained Saville Street is the remaining mount for Gibbons in the same race that Prorata contests. Saville Street has won three of 16 starts and finished sixth at Tuncurry in his most recent outing.

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Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au

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